In Malacca

Stock Photography By Christina Jablonski

Malacca is about two hours drive from Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital. This set of photographs is a snapshot of its historic centre, a UNESCO Heritage Site and its environs. Arriving here one can explore Chinatown with its temples and shop-houses, Dutch Square (Red Square) with Christ Church, Clock Tower, City Hall and landmarks such as the ruins of Portuguese fortress.

Photo Captions for In Malacca

Image #1. Cheng Hoon Teng temple, Malacca, Malaysia Also called Quing Yun Ting, this is a part of the Chinatown's temple dating from 1646. It is decorated for the celebrations of the Chinese New Year. Two lions guard the entry.

Image #2. Chen Hoon Teng temple, Malacca, Malaysia The interior of the three hundred years old Chinese temple is intricately decorated with carvings, furniture, gold decorations and images from the life of Buddha. The building materials were brought from China in the mid 1600's. After recent renovations the temple became one of the World heritage sites.

Image #4. Sanduo Chinese temple, Malacca This small temple, built at the end of the eighteenth century is one of the oldest in Malacca (Melaka) city. Its location - Jalan Tokong also known as Street of Harmony. That old area of Malacca is classified as the UNESCO site.

Image #5. Jalan Tokong, Street of Harmony, Malacca, Malaysia On a busy street are a few Chinese, Hindu and Muslim temples, the old shop-houses and cars parked before them. When this photo was taken, it was decorated in a favoured red for the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Ox.

Image #6. Dinghy, the Strait of Malacca, Malaysia A small boat belongs to a local fisherman. It's tied up on the shores of a narrow passage between the Indonesian island of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula that has been a famous trade route for centuries. The passage is also infamous - for the past and present piracy.

Image #7. Ruins of Porta de Santiago, Malacca, Malaysia A Famosa, as is also called, was once a site of the Portuguese fortress built in 1512. This entrance gate is the only part saved from demolition (1807) by Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore. The inscription "Anno 1609" on the arch indicates the year when the colony went to the Dutch.

Image #8. The Malacca River, Malaysia History speaks of a Hindu prince from Sumatra who in the 1500's established here his thriving sultanate. The river became a trade and transport route, and a water supply. Centuries later the boats carry tourists eager to learn its past.

Image #9. The Windmill, Malacca, Malaysia A toy like windmill is an unexpected sight in the Red Square, a busy centre of the old Malacca town. It is a reminder of the Dutch presence and their colonial culture in that part of the world.

Image #10. The Christ Church of Malacca, Malaysia The Dutch Protestant community built the church in the 18th century and used it until 1838. When Malacca was handed over to the British in the 19th century, it was re-consecrated and named the Christ Church. It still serves local congregations.

Image #11. A tricycle, Malacca, Malaysia Many such trickshaws with umbrellas are adorned with large and bright artificial flowers. They take tourists on a historic trail of the old town. Some drivers rest or pose for a photo as that man did.

Image #12. Tan Ben Swee clock tower, Malacca, Malaysia Built in 1886 by a businessman in memory of his father, the clock worked for nearly a century. It is now in the local museum and its replacement had been donated by the Japanese firm Seiko.